Floral Park homes opening their doors

The turret area in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors Saturday and Sunday for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Home & Garden Tour

What: Floral Park's 22nd Home & Garden Tour

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Floral Park neighborhood; two ticket booths will be on Flower Street and North Park Boulevard as well as North Park Boulevard and Benton Way in Santa Ana.

Why: Tour six vintage homes and two gardens, shop for antiques and view a classic automobiles display.

Tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes (no heels allowed in the homes). The tour route is about a half-mile long and high temperatures for the weekend will be 72-73 degrees (accuweather.com).

Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will once again be opening their homes to visitors who love eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors can purchase $25 advance tickets and $30 day-of-event tickets to tour six vintage homes, including a Spanish Colonial home, an English Revival house dubbed “the castle” for its front-facing turret and a Normandy Tudor home.

“One of the Spanish houses is incredible because it’s a ’20s house, and it has the original, never-been-damaged (light fixture), with delicate filigree and a multicolor, faceted fascia,” said Sandy DeAngelis, home tour director. “It’s just really lovely; it’s blue and red and gold. It’s original through the house and it’s never been damaged, never been repainted … it’s beautiful. There are details like that throughout the houses; you see things that have been restored from what they were, and they’re just incredible.”

The tour, hosted by the Floral Park Neighborhood Association, will include two gardens: One merges seamlessly into the home’s living room, while the other started as “a piece of dirt” donated to the city, but three years and $50,000 later, it turned into a beautiful community-built effort, DeAngelis said.

Floral Park, in about a 1-mile-by-half-mile plot in the northern part of Santa Ana, boasts about 650 homes, most of which were built between the 1920s and 1950s, according to DeAngelis. More than 100 of these homes are on the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties list.

Homes and gardens in this year’s tour will be north of Santa Clara Avenue. Every year, the association switches between hosting the tour in the northern and southern half of Floral Park, DeAngelis said. Many visitors fall in love with the neighborhood and end up moving into Floral Park after touring the homes, she added.

“It’s the most incredible place to live in the world. The camraderie, the people, the support … it’s actually a neighborhood,” DeAngelis said. “I grew up in South Carolina, and people think the South is this, but it’s not. Floral Park is what people dream of … you can have play dates, play in your neighbor’s front yard, ask somebody to walk your dog.”

The tour will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Touring through the homes and gardens could take anywhere from as little as two hours to all day, while still “walking and taking your time,” DeAngelis said.

Some homes are a half-mile apart and with the amount of walking on the tour, it should be noted that high-heeled shoes are not allowed indoors. In between home and garden touring, attendees can shop for antiques from more than 50 vendors on the “Street of Treasures” and check out a display of 40 to 50 classic automobiles by car clubs, collectors and enthusiasts, some of whom are Floral Park residents.

“When you like vintage houses, you probably like vintage cars, too,” DeAngelis said. “I’d like to say half of the garages (here) have a piece of a refurbished car … we have one guy who has a vintage carriage. It’s pretty amazing.”

North Park Boulevard will be closed, and the antique vendors and classic cars will be set up along the street. Food and refreshments also will be available for sale.

DeAngelis, who has lived in Floral Park since 1986, said she was involved from the start – Floral Park Neighborhood Association started as a casual gathering in her living room around 1990 before becoming a formal association. Now it has expanded to include about 15 board members and many more volunteers focused on preserving integrity, unity and community.

DeAngelis has been leading the annual tour event since it started in 1993 and said she is always “amazed” at how smoothly it runs.

“Everybody’s doing their individual thing, and it all comes together,” she said. “It’s like an orchestra.”

DeAngelis said at first, organizers didn't realize the tour would become so successful and they were hosting it simply because it sounded like “a great idea.” Now, the core group of tour organizers is made up of about 20 people, with around 150 volunteers who will help out this weekend.

The turret area in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors Saturday and Sunday for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors Saturday and Sunday for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pete and Erin Suica will display their home in the Floral Park neighborhood at this weekend's home tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The backyard of the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The main room in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana . Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors Saturday and Sunday for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The fireplace in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An original sconce in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An original chandelier in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The original front door of the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An original built-in iron in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The original bathroom sink knobs in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A built-in desk in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A signature from when wall paper was put in in 1938 in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An original grate and floor detail in the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pete and Erin Suica, with their dogs B.G. and Duke in the back yard of their 1927 home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An original cherub statue in the backyard of the 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A family photo taken three years after the 1927 house was built in the home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The 1927 home of Pete and Erin Suica in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A Spanish colonial home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A Normandy Tudor home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A cottage style home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A Tudor revival cottage home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A Spanish colonial home in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Sarah May Donnie Memorial Herb Garden in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Sarah May Donnie Memorial Herb Garden in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana on Friday, Apr. 11, 2014. Homeowners from the Floral Park neighborhood will be once again opening their doors this April 26-27 for local lovers of eclectic architecture, gardens and all things vintage for their 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour. ANNA REED, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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